FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Interested in finding out more? Search by topic to find answers to common questions.
Collecting containers
Which drink containers are eligible for a refund?
Most drink containers between 150mL and 3L are eligible.
Look for the 10c mark on the label. Eligible materials include:
- aluminium
- glass
- plastic
- steel
- liquid paperboard
What containers are not eligible?
These containers are not accepted:
- smaller than 150ml
- bigger than 3L
- plain milk containers
- wine or pure spirits glass containers
- bigger than 1L or more containers of flavoured milk, pure juice, cask wine or cask water
- cordial or vegetable juice containers
- wine sachets above 250mL
- registered health tonics
- household food containers (e.g. tuna cans)
Most of these can be recycled – check with your local council to see what can be recycled through your household recycling bin.
Why are some containers not eligible for a refund?
Eligible drink containers are mostly items found as litter in our streets, beaches, waterways and used “on the go.”
Containers used mainly at home are usually not included. You can still recycle those in your household recycling bin.
What condition do my containers have to be in?
- empty
- lids can be left on (we recycle them too)
- not crushed (most refund points can’t accept them if containers have been crushed)
Does my container need to have a label or barcode?
RVMs: must have a readable barcode to be scanned. Other refund points may accept containers without barcodes if the operator can recognise the containers as eligible. Acceptance is at their discretion.
Do I need to remove lids from containers before cashing them in?
No. Please keep the lids on. This helps ensure the lids and bottles are recycled together.
Returning containers
Where can I return my containers?
There are different types of refund point:
- Reverse-vending-Machine (RVM)
- Depot
- Over-the-Counter (OTC)
- Pop-ups
Find your nearest refund point
Victoria has three zones, with each run by one of our partners – Visy (north zone), Return-It (east zone) and TOMRA Cleanaway (west zone).
What is a refund point?
A refund point is a facility where you can get a 10-cent refund for your eligible drink containers.
When are refund points open?
Hours vary by location. Check your nearest refund point for times or go to our location map.
How can I receive my refund?
- Cash – offered at some refund points
- Voucher – automatically dispensed to be used at a participating retailer (eg. your local supermarket)
- Digital payment – through an app from your zone operator
- Donate your refund to a community group or charity
Each refund point will show which options it offers. Use the interactive map to check local payment options.
Do I need to register to get a refund?
- Cash and voucher – no need to register
- Digital refund – register through an app
What happens if I return an ineligible container?
Please do not knowingly return ineligible containers.
Eligible containers are carefully chosen because they can be recycled into high-quality materials for new products. Returning ineligible containers disrupts this process and makes recycling less effective.
What do I do when a reverse vending machine (RVM) is full, clogged or blocked?
Call the phone number on the reverse-vending-machine (RVM) as zone operators are responsible for the refund points. If no number is visible, call us on 134 237 or email enquiries@cdsvic.org.au so we can notify the zone operator.
Where can I find my return history?
Return history and digital receipts are available in the zone operator apps. Check the app for your zone to view past refunds.
Will my information remain private?
The safety of your information is important to us. Read our privacy policy.
Is there a limit on how many containers I can return?
Some refund points might set a limit per visit. Check with your local refund point before you go. If returning more than 1500 containers within a 24-hour period, you will be required to sign a declaration and provide proof of identification.
Do I need to bring proof of identity to deposit containers?
If you return more than 1500 containers to a refund point in 24 hours, you must sign a declaration and provide ID.
Individual refund points may also require ID for lower deposit amounts – check first.
About CDS Vic
What is Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic)?
Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is a scheme that gives you 10 cents for every eligible drink container you return.
Refund points are managed by three Zone Operators across Victoria.
The scheme is run by VicReturn.
The aim is to reduce litter ending up in landfill or local streets and create clean stream of recycling.
Who is responsible for operating Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme?
Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is being delivered in a partnership model, with a scheme coordinator and three zone operators (also sometimes known as network operators).
As scheme coordinator, VicReturn:
- manages the financial and administrative aspects of the scheme
- conducts audits of the scheme to prevent fraud
- pays refund amounts and collection network costs to the zone operators
- reports against performance targets set by the Victorian Government.
Zone operator are Visy (north), Return-it (east) and TOMRA Cleanaway (west) and are responsible for:
- establishing and maintaining a network of refund collection points in their appointed zones
- paying refunds to consumers
- collecting, counting and sorting returned containers
- sorting and preparing returned containers for transportation, processing and recycling
- distributing payments to refund point operators
- reporting on participation and redemption rates.
The Victorian Government regulates the scheme to ensure its efficient operation.
How is Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme funded?
CDS Vic is a product stewardship scheme. This means beverage companies pay for the 10-cent refund and running costs. That helps to make CDS Vic convenient and accessible for all Victorians. It is also helping to improve recycling rates and reduce the number of containers that end up in landfill.
Who selects the location of CDS Vic sites?
Each zone operator choose where refund points are placed. They work with local communities, businesses and organisations to make sure refund points are easy to access and convenient to use.
Who manages refund points in my area?
Each zone operator is responsible for managing and maintaining refund points within their zones. For more information about specific refund points, please contact your zone operator.
I’ve seen someone raiding a bin. Is that legal?
Most councils do not allow people to remove rubbish from a bin placed on a footpath. Breaking the local law may result in a fine, especially if rubbish or litter is left around a bin after it has been raided. If you are affected by this issue, please contact your local council.
Recycling
What happens to the containers once they are returned to a refund point?
Returned containers are given a new life.
They are transformed into new streams of material for recycling – meaning your containers can be turned into new drink containers, as well as other useful products.
Here’s how it works:
- Zone operators sort returned containers by material type.
- Containers are sent to processing facilities.
- Processors prepare the materials for recycling.
- Recyclers buy the materials and turn them into new products, like glass and PET bottles, aluminum cans and other items like clothing and plastic-based construction items.
- When the materials are recycled into a new eligible container, the circular economy journey starts again!
What material types are collected through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme?
Materials collected and recycled through the scheme include:
• glass
• polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic
• high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic
• aluminium
• steel
• liquid paper board
• other plastics
What do my returned drink containers become?
Your returned drink containers can become new eligible drink containers, as well as materials for roads, furniture, construction, textiles and more.
Will containers be recycled by offshore recyclers?
Most recycling is done here in Victoria and across Australia. Sometimes materials are sent overseas when local recycling options aren’t available.
With the support of state and federal government funding, more domestic recycling capacity is being built locally to process containers here in Victoria and across Australia!
Who receives the refund on the containers put into council kerbside recycling bins?
If you put eligible containers into your household bin, they go to a material recovery facility (MRF). VicReturn (scheme coordinator) pays the refund on these containers to the MRF. The refund is then shared between the MRF and your local council.
Fundraising & donations
How can community groups, charities or not-for-profits get involved?
CDS Vic gives Victorian schools, charities, clubs and community groups new ways to raise funds. You can:
- collect eligible containers from your community and redeem them for refunds
- register as a donation partner so supporters can donate their refunds
- apply to your zone operator to set up and run a refund point.
If you’re interested in hosting a refund point, contact your local zone operator for details.
What’s a donation partner?
Donation partners are not-for-profit organisations such as charities, schools, sports clubs or community groups.
They register with CDS Vic and set up a payment account with one or more zone operators. This lets people donate their 10c refunds directly to them.
How can my community group register as a donation partner?
To register, your organisation needs to:
- Sign up with CDS Vic to get a donation partner ID (this confirms your organisation is registered in Victoria).
- Activate your donation partner ID with each relevant zone operator so you can receive payments.
How do I get donations from my supporters?
At refund points, supporters can choose to donate their refund to your organisation.
Check with your zone operator to see the different ways people can donate, such as:
- using the zone operator app
- entering your donation partner ID (or barcode)
- using the donation search on the CDS Vic website.
You can also collect containers yourself and partner with your local refund point to redeem them.
Can community groups and charities get their containers collected by nearby refund points?
Some refund points and zone operators provide cages, bins or collection services. These may come with a fee. Contact your local zone operator to see what’s available in your area.
Accessibility & support
Can I get help in another language?
Yes, if you need an interpreter, please call TIS National on 131 450 and quote CDS Vic. For more information, visit the TIS website: www.tisnational.gov.au
Can I get help if I have hearing or speech difficulties?
Yes, contact CDS Vic through the National Relay Service (NRS). For more information, visit the NRS website (www.accesshub.gov.au/about-the-nrs) to choose your preferred access point or call the NRS Helpdesk on 1800 555 660
Still have questions?
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